ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Golden Grizzlies gear up for a two-game home stand this week, hosting IU Indy and Youngstown State as they enter the final month of the regular season.
Oakland is playing some of its best basketball of the season, having won three of its last four games, most recently securing an 82-71 win over Milwaukee. In that game, Oakland poured in the scoring with a season-high 12 made three-pointers and scored 80 points for the second time in three games.
Oakland now has five players averaging nine or more points per game, cementing itself not only as one of the conference's top offensive squads, but also as a team with depth and multiple areas of contribution.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28 vs. IU INDY | 6:30 PM | ESPN+
The Golden Grizzlies and the Jags (8-11, 4-6 HL) face off for the first time this season, meeting for the first time since last year's Horizon League Championship first-round matchup. In that contest, Oakland traveled to Indianapolis and bounced the Jags from postseason contention with a 62-56 win.
Oakland is averaging just under 70 points per game while ranking among the league leaders in rebounds per contest (35.8 rpg), a strength that has fueled second-chance opportunities and fast-break scoring. The Golden Grizzlies have also emphasized defensive pressure, forcing turnovers at a high rate and holding opponents below their season scoring averages in recent outings.
A strong threat from deep, shooting over .300 from behind the arc, Oakland is set up for another high-scoring affair against an IU Indy squad that is the worst three-point shooting team in the league, with a three-point percentage of .263.
Where IU Indy thrives is getting to the free-throw line, ranking third in the conference in free-throw attempts (436).
After a rough start to the season, IU Indy has won back-to-back games, earning victories over Youngstown State and Northern Kentucky in its previous two contests. While strong at home with a 7-3 record, the Jags struggle away from Indianapolis, posting a 1-8 road mark.
Guard Neveah Foster leads the charge for the Jags, averaging 12.3 points per game, along with 1.4 steals and 4.6 rebounds per game.
SATURDAY, JAN. 31 vs. YOUNGSTOWN STATE | 2 PM | ESPN+
The Penguins (14-7, 7-4 HL) and the Golden Grizzlies play their head-to-head finale of the regular season to start the weekend.
Coming into the week, YSU sits in third place in the Horizon League, just a half game behind Robert Morris for the No. 2 spot.
An elite defensive unit, YSU leads the conference in scoring defense, allowing just 57.3 points per game, and three-point defense, holding opponents to a .264 shooting percentage from deep.
The Penguins have hit a rough patch as of late. Despite beating Cleveland State 61-38 in their last outing, YSU has lost two of its last three games, scoring fewer than 53 points in both losses.
Casey Santoro (12.6 ppg) leads YSU in scoring, followed closely by Sarah Baker (11.1 ppg). Sophia Gregory serves as the team's Swiss Army knife, averaging 8.6 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.
The Golden Grizzlies look to keep the ball rolling and their momentum flowing at home.
